Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

JJ Redick Challenged Luka Doncic & LeBron James To Give More Defensively

Through the first quarter of the 2025-26 season, Luka Doncic has propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to near the top of the Western Conference standings. The Lakers currently sit with an 18-7 record, which is good for third alongside the San Antonio Spurs.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Puka Nacua's brother arrested for allegedly stealing Lakers rookie's car

Nacua's brother, Samson, has been arrested for allegedly stealing the car of Lakers rookie Adou Thiero.

NBA News / Lakers Nation / December 18

Suns’ Dillon Brooks Accuses LeBron James Of Being ‘Social-Media Junkie’

Throughout his illustrious career, LeBron James has had his fair share of rivals and opponents that would try to get in his head and throw him off by talking trash or being physical with him.

Los Angeles Lakers News / The SportsRush / December 18

Former All-Star Confused Why Bronny James Isn’t On The G-League Lakers If Dalton Knecht Is

Bronny James’ path to the NBA was never going to be easy, but it always came with a challenge unlike that faced by most aspiring players. As LeBron James’

Cooper Flagg News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

How many of the NBA players to score at least 40 points in a game before turning 21 years old can you name in six minutes?

The 'NBA's youngest 35-point scorers' quiz

The 'Most points in an NBA Christmas Day game' quiz

The 'NBA 10-block triple-doubles' quiz

LeBron James News / HITC / December 18

Where LeBron James could end up next season, according to Brian Windhorst

LeBron James is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. At that point, James will have the freedom to pick his next team or decide if it is time to retire.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Which NBA teams have the best Christmas Day records?

Christmas and the NBA go hand-in-hand. The day serves for the top hoops league in the world, like Thanksgiving for the NFL. However, while the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are perpetual Thanksgiving participants, the NBA has mixed up the matchups and the teams throughout the years.

Luka Doncic News / HITC / December 18

Luka Doncic’s heartwarming holiday gesture for LA Lakers staff included 103 gifts

Luka Doncic will earn the respect of every LA Lakers fan and community member with this! With the holiday season approaching, Luka Doncic decided to make a wonderful overture to his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Last Word On Sports / December 18

Trade Season Begins: Breaking Down The Lakers’ Options

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers enter Christmas in unfamiliar comfort. They sit third in the West with an 18–7 record. This is their strongest early-season position in years.

Los Angeles Lakers News / FirstSportz / December 18

Stealing Lakers Rookie Adou Thiero’s SUV Lands NFL Star’s Brother in Jail

When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Adou Thiero out of Arkansas with the No. 36 overall pick, the idea was that he would be another young gun for the future.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 18

Why Kevin Durant says Lakers superstar LeBron James is still improving at nearly 41

As Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James moves through his historic 23rd NBA season, questions about longevity and decline naturally follow. Yet even as the Lakers star forward approaches his 41st birthday, some of the league’s sharpest basketball minds believe James is still evolving, not fading.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Wire / December 18

Lakers Notes: Luka Doncic, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt

The Lakers have one of the best records in the league. JJ Redick still isn’t satisfied. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Redick has made defense a major point of emphasis, calling on the Lakers to lock in earlier and more consistently.

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 17

Lakers looking to ratchet up defense as they take on Jazz

Defensive deficiencies have caused the Los Angeles Lakers some headaches in recent games ahead of Thursday's clash with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / December 17

Lakers Announce Deandre Ayton News Amid Austin Reaves Injury

Deandre Ayton had one of his best games as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Lakers secured a 116-114 win over the Phoenix Suns despite missing the services of the injured Austin Reaves.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

The 'Active NFL 5-passing-TD games' quiz

The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / December 17

Luka Doncic Dissects Lakers' Defensive Woes After J.J. Redick Meeting

The Los Angeles Lakers have alternated wins and losses in their last six games, a trend that could cause them to fall farther behind in the NBA standings if things don't improve in the coming days and weeks.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 17

Lakers Injury Report: Deandre Ayton & Austin Reaves Out, Gabe Vincent Questionable, Maxi Kleber Probable Vs. Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers released their injury report for Thursday’s road game against the Utah Jazz and Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness) and Austin Reaves (left calf strain) are listed as out while Maxi Kleber (lumbar muscle strain) is probable and Gabe Vincent (low back soreness) is questionable.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Last Word On Sports / December 17

Lakers Seem Unwilling to Trade Veteran Guard Despite Interest

With offseason acquisitions now eligible to be traded, many Lakers fans are clamoring for the team to make a move, and LA appears to be focused on 3-and-D players.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 17

1 deal Lakers must make with 2025-26 trade season underway

The 15th of December officially marked the day that players who signed free agent contracts in the offseason could be traded. With the G League Winter showcase approaching, that’s usually the time that NBA trade winds really start blowing.

Giannis Antetokounmpo News / NBA Analysis Network / December 17

Los Angeles Lakers could be eyeing a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to win a championship this season. The Los Angeles Lakers are the 3rd seed in the Western Conference and they have shown they can compete at a high level.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 17

JJ Redick: Lakers Have Enjoyed Getting To Know Deandre Ayton

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was recently recognized by the NBA for the work he has done in communities around the world by naming him the recipient of the Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for the month of November.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Wire / December 17

Lakers searching for perimeter answers under tight cap rules

The Lakers have options. The problem is deciding which ones actually help. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Los Angeles is operating just $1.1 million below the first apron and is hard-capped, meaning flexibility is limited in terms of making trades.

Dalton Knecht News / Lakers Nation / December 17

South Bay Dalton Knecht Dominates In G League Debut

Last year’s first-round pick Dalton Knecht has had a bit of an up-and-down run so far in his young career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The guard has had some outstanding performances, but has also had times when he has been out of the rotation, primarily due to his struggles on the defensive end.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 17

Lakers Pressured to 'Tread Carefully' at Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers are in need of a versatile defender if they are to compete in the stacked Western Conference this season. With a bottom 10-ranked defensive rating, the Lakers have struggled to contain opposing offenses, allowing the 17th-most points per game.

Luka Doncic News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 17

Luka Doncic Spends Insane Amount on Lakers Holiday Presents

Star guard Luka Doncic has given a lot to the Los Angeles Lakers since they acquired him via a shocking February trade with the Dallas Mavericks last season.

Dalton Knecht News / Fadeaway World / December 17

Dalton Knecht’s G League Debut Shows That He Deserves More Minutes In The NBA

Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht has struggled to carve out a spot in the team’s rotation. Given his drop-off in form, Knecht found himself being assigned to the G League, along with Adou Thiero, recently.